Eagleville boys basketball coach Joseph Reed talks to players during a game earlier this season. Eagleville coaches, players and fans are questioning how the scoring was handled during an overtime loss to LEAD Academy in the Region 4-A tournament Saturday.(Photo: TOM BECKWITH)

The TSSAA on Monday denied Eagleville's complaint that scoring errors led to Saturday night's loss at LEAD Academy in the Region 4-A quarterfinals.

Eagleville contended that two free throws made by Mari Stoudemire with 31 seconds left – free throws that would have given Eagleville a 76-71 lead – were not counted. LEAD Academy ultimately tied the score in the closing seconds and sent it to overtime.

Eagleville Principal William Tollett submitted video of the game as part of the complaint.

But Gene Menees, TSSAA assistant executive director, said the TSSAA does not use video to change the score of a game once it is completed and that he had not watched the video submitted as part of the complaint. Menees said video would be used only in order to determine rulings on situations such as a fight during a game. He said, similarly, that video wouldn't be used to correct bad calls or similar situations, either.

According to both TSSAA and National Federation of High Schools bylaws, once a game ends and an official approves it being final, the result can't be changed at a later time.

But here’s what video of the game shows:

Eagleville led 74-71 as Stoudemire headed to the line to shoot two free throws with 31 seconds remaining in the game. He made both, but the scoreboard read 75-71 after his makes.

LEAD Academy then scored a quick basket, and it was after that when officials noticed the clock had not started on LEAD Academy's possession. About five seconds would have elapsed.

During a conference at the scorer's table, it was determined the scoreboard was incorrect. But both scorebooks showed Eagleville as having only 74 points. Neither scorebook shows Stoudemire making two free throws at that time.

After the review at the scorer's table, the score was determined to be 74-73 in favor of Eagleville.

Stoudemire was fouled again and made one of two free-throw attempts before LEAD Academy tied it to force overtime.

"The clock didn't start (on a made LEAD basket following Stoudemire's free throws), so the officials went to the table," said Menees, who talked to both Eagleville and LEAD Academy representatives and had a report from the game's lead official. "While they were there, it was pointed out that the (scoreboard) wasn't right. Both books had the same score. When there's a discrepancy, you go by the home book, by rule. In this case both books had exactly the same score. The official asked again, and both said they have the same score."

"When both books have exactly the same score, then there's not much else the referee can do."

According to national federation rules, the only instance when video can be used to change the scoring in a game is during a state championship, and only in the case of ruling whether a basket is a 2-pointer or 3-pointer. But the TSSAA did not adopt that policy. Menees said the reason for that was the association's hesitation to place more importance in that one game over a state quarterfinal or semifinal, or even an elimination region contest such as Eagleville played Saturday.

The Eagles' scorebook shows Stoudemire with five free-throw attempts in the quarter, but only a first attempt and last attempt have the circles filled in as made free throws. Eagleville coach Joseph Reed said after reviewing film himself that Stoudemire made three of five free throws during the quarter.

"There were numerous clock issues during the game. It was a distraction to the bookkeepers," Reed said.

Eagleville players, administration and fans were busy on Twitter on Sunday, exclaiming what they felt was an injustice in the elimination game.

What happened last night at the Eagleville-Lead Academy game was not right and something needs to be done. This is NOT about the refs it’s about the points!!! The final should be 77-75! Help us make this right! @cecil_joyce@Kreager@tssaapic.twitter.com/osY7896gIz

LEAD Academy spokesman Jon Zlock did not address questions involving the scoreboard operation when asked for a comment Monday.

“We respect Eagleville’s right to appeal the official determination of Saturday night’s game. We are very proud of the way both teams played in what was a highly-competitive matchup. We appreciate TSSAA’s prompt ruling on the matter,” Zlock wrote in an email.

Zlock referred any other questions to the TSSAA.

An official’s report from the game does not mention any other scoreboard issues except for the one late in the fourth quarter.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.